Need new phone - Dumb questions

[PSLguy]

My Galaxy S4 is in tough shape. Ongoing SIM card restart issues and I just cracked the screen. Ugh.

Can't upgrade with AT&T until August and plan to get S6 then. My plan is very old with unlimited everything for crazy low price so switching carriers is off the table.

Until then, I'm inclined to buy used S3, s4 or similar off Craigslist.

Dumb questions:

1. Does it have to be AT&T phone?
2. How do I ensure it isnt stolen?
3. Anything else to be aware of (or wary of)?

[the86d]

If it is SIM unlocked from T-Mobile, it might not give you full speed AT&T speeds (3g/4g+[HSP+])). Your best bet is to get a carrier-locked (your carrier), or an unlocked device that supports the current tech that your carrier uses, if you can verify.

Check quad-core "Blu" unlocked devices @ Walmart (via youtube)...

Samsung devices (Note x,y,z) are FULL of bloatware lately (& bootloader/firmware locked) too. I would rather buy unbloated devices these days, but I am limited due to a physical-keyboard-desiring affliction.

I don't know about Craigslist, but on eBay if the listing says "BAD ESN" anywhere, it probably can't be used by you.
I have purchased multiple VirginMobile phones for my son off of eBay, avoiding "Bad ESN", but you can always check their reputation (negative comments is what I would reference).
Seek "good ESN"/"clean ESN"...

But for <$200, the Blu unlocked devices might be a good option... CHK Walmart's policy, and maybe talk to one of their cell-phones guys to see what the return policy is, if it doesn't support max-data-rates/tech of the provider you have.

[PSLguy]

Thanks for the response. Just checked WalMart and they have some unlocked phones for as little as $150 or so for an S3. May go that route as that's the same price as used off Craigslist.

[PSLguy]

Friend wants to sell me an unlocked Telcel Galaxy S5. Will this work with my AT&T sim card?

[GardoneVT]

Best course of action for the OP; buy a used S4 off of Amazon , and then save up to get the S6 outright.

Don't screw around with contracts-phones aren't built to last that long ,and you'll be right back to this position six months into the S6 if you do a contract. Stay away from the installments too-because it won't change your plan, the reps will try to hard sell you on that. There's no interest to be worried about, but you'll be locked into ATT for as long as your installment contract exists.The NEXT plan generally has a two year payoff date, but your S6 won't make it that long . When it does bite the dust, you'll have to pay off the balance owed to ATT to upgrade.

Note-im not trying to pan Samsung here. When I was in wireless sales, generally speaking maybe two phones in ten made it through a two year term before going tango uniform.It was very common to see a couple looking to upgrade who had one phone working and the other-the same model- was a pile of crap.

Whether you have an iPhone, Droid, Samsung, whatever- after 12 months don't plan on it working well. Coincidentally, the carrier supported warranty for their smartphones just happens to be 12 months...........

[2DoorImpala]

Careful buying used phones or new. Whoever you buy it from might not continue paying their bill and you'll have a door stopper.

[PSLguy]

Thanks for all the advice. Wound up buying an unlocked Samsung S5 Active (GSM phone) off Ebay from a reputable seller. I like the idea of just paying cash for the phone as I agree they don't generally last two years. I'm pretty hard on phones as it is, so hopefully, the active will last a year, at which point I can probably get an S6 off Ebay the same way I got this one.

[FreedomIsNotFree]

If you are hard on your phones, add insurance during an open enrollment period. Additionally, you can typically add an extended warranty for a couple bucks a month that covers any software or hardware issues short of physical damage.

[sd_shooter]

I've had good luck with ebay phones. Just buy for the same carrier you're with, pop in your old SIM card and you're GTG.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I just upgraded from an S3 to a Note 4 and it is a rather spectacular difference. Too bad I didn't see your thread earlier. I now have a mint S3 which was a warranty replacement just a few months ago that is going into the clutter drawer.

[Bushwack44]

FWIW...I had 6 months remaining on my AT&T contract back in June 2014 (was not happy with their service) and T-Mobile bought it out.

The short story is I switched to TMO and with unlimited text, voice and 5GB monthly data (and paying over 24 months for a new HTC phone), my monthly TMO bill is $14 less then the equivalent AT&T bill. But the icing on the cake for me is within L.A. (particularly Beverly Hills and the west side), my calls no longer drop.

I'd have paid $14 MORE for my calls not to drop. Win win.

[the86d]

FWIW...I had 6 months remaining on my AT&T contract back in June 2014 (was not happy with their service) and T-Mobile bought it out.

The short story is I switched to TMO and with unlimited text, voice and 5GB monthly data (and paying over 24 months for a new HTC phone), my monthly TMO bill is $14 less then the equivalent AT&T bill. But the icing on the cake for me is within L.A. (particularly Beverly Hills and the west side), my calls no longer drop.

I'd have paid $14 MORE for my calls not to drop. Win win.

Yeah, I only really ran into one deadspot with T-Mobile, but then again I had the same deadspot with Verizon, and Sprint too, and that is 3 corners of a much-used set of stores.

My lady kept dropping phone calls in one spot on a "main drag" of the city we lived in at the time with AT&T while driving.